THE heyday of a fashionable department store and an influential puppet theatre are among the facets of Malvern's history celebrated in new exhibits at the town's museum.

The Malvern Museum of Local History opened its doors for the 2017 season on Saturday, introducing its 37th year in the Priory Gatehouse in Abbey Road.

Over that time, the displays have become more professional and ambitious and the museum's collection has expanded, and it attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Among the new exhibits for 2017 is one showcasing the history of Warwick House, for many years a leading independent department store in Wells Road'

Mannequins model some of the glamorous outfits that were sold there, supported by an array of accessories such as top hats, silk stockings for both men and women, muffs, fans and kid leather gloves.

Warwick House was known in its early days for offering funeral services and selling items a family would buy to mark the loss of a loved one, and several mourning cards, receipts and other mementoes are on display.

The Great War case moves into the year 1917 and commemorates some of the Malvern men who survived the war and those who lost their lives in the Battles of Arras and Passchendaele.

A recent donation of four sculpted puppet heads from the famous Lanchester Marionettes puppet theatre company, which was based in Malvern between the wars, make their first appearance.

And another display focuses some of the countless clubs and societies that flourished in the town during the 20th century. Concert Club programmes, transactions of the Malvern Field Club and Poolbrook Youth Club notebooks rub shoulders with the Malvern Cricket Club and Malvern Swimming and Water Polo Club.

Faith Renger of the museum said: "There is an excellent team of volunteers who ensure the work behind the scenes is done, and more importantly act as stewards to meet and greet visitors, answer questions and run the shop."

The museum is open daily from 10.30am 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. There is a small admission, and reduced entrance fees operate at the weekends.